This study aims to understand the impact of living with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and the factors that contribute to adaptation in adolescents and adults. Individuals with KS may have variable symptoms, including hypogonadism, gynecomastia, learning disabilities, and delay and underdevelopment of secondary sexual characteristics. Perhaps the most challenging symptom of KS is infertility, which seems to be a universal symptom. It is not fully understood how males with KS conceptualize their condition, cope with their diagnosis, and adapt to living with this condition. In this study, Lazarus and Folkman s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping provides a framework for examining coping and adaptation in males with KS. A cross-sectional research design using a quantitative survey will be utilized to examine the relationships among appraisals (illness perceptions and perceived stigma), time elapsed since learning of diagnosis, coping, and adaptation. Adolescents and adults with KS will be recruited from national KS support networks via website postings, email listservs, and printed newsletter postings. Adolescents will also be recruited from a private practice. Participants will have the option to complete an online or paper version of the survey. The main outcome variable is adaptation to living with a KS diagnosis.

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Primary Outcome Measures:

Adaptation to Klinefelter. The primary research question is to answer how adolescents and adults adapt to Klinefelter syndrome.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Open ended questions will also assess most difficult and best aspects of living with the condition. Follow-up research will be aimed at opportunities for enhancing adaptation.

Estimated Enrollment:

600

Study Start Date:

May 2009

Estimated Study Completion Date:

January 2015

Detailed Description:

This study aims to understand the impact of living with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and the factors that contribute to adaptation in adolescents and adults. Individuals with KS may have variable symptoms, including hypogonadism, gynecomastia, learning disabilities, and delay and underdevelopment of secondary sexual characteristics. Perhaps the most challenging symptom of KS is infertility, which seems to be a universal symptom. It is not fully understood how males with KS conceptualize their condition, cope with their diagnosis, and adapt to living with this condition. In this study, Lazarus and Folkman s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping provides a framework for examining coping and adaptation in males with KS. A cross-sectional research design using a quantitative survey will be utilized to examine the relationships among appraisals (illness perceptions and perceived stigma), time elapsed since learning of diagnosis, coping, and adaptation. Adolescents and adults with KS will be recruited from national KS support networks via website postings, email listservs, and printed newsletter postings. Adolescents will also be recruited from a private practice. Participants will have the option to complete an online or paper version of the survey. The main outcome variable is adaptation to living with a KS diagnosis.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

14 Years to 80 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Must have Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) by self-report.

Must be 14 years or older.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00896272